Does a Home Office Improve the Value of Your Home?

Many home remodeling projects do wonders for the value of the home. Certain upgrades and renovations pay dividends when it comes time to sell, and you often can recoup the money you’ve invested in the upgrade.

There are exceptions, however. And one stands head and shoulders above the rest (or should I say below) when it comes to return on investment:

The home office.

Surprised? It may seem like a home office would be a boon for your home at sale time, especially considering the number of people who telecommute and work online. But the fact of the matter is, a home office often recoups only a portion of the money invested in the remodel.

Why? Multiple factors.

First, even people who work at home often don’t work at home. When was the last time you walked into a coffee shop and didn’t see a laptop open? Many people still find space outside the home to work.

Second, a full-on home office renovation often takes up a bedroom which new owners might want to be able to convert back into a bedroom. If you’ve spent the time and money having built-in furniture added, media wiring, and other “office-like” details installed, it represents a cost to restore or lost usage for the new owners.

Of course, if you need a home office and want to have the home office of your dreams, it might be worth it to you to put the return on investment aside. But don’t undertake the project thinking it will pay off down the line.

Curious which home remodeling projects pay off at the sale? Let’s talk about what you’re considering:

Linda Reynolds, Broker

Serving Hillsborough and Manatee Counties

941-737-6562 or 813-944-2908

If you’re weighing a project like this, it can help to think about flexibility: a room that works as an office now and can easily go back to being a bedroom later keeps more options open when it’s time to sell. I’m always happy to talk through what makes sense for your home, with no pressure at all. Reach out through reynoldsrealty.com or call/text 941-737-6562. — Linda Reynolds, Reynolds Realty Gulf Coast